winning their third Grammy for Best Traditional World Music Category
9 February 2009
For the third time in eleven years, the internationally acclaimed Ladysmith
Black Mambazo has made the nation and people of the African continent
proud.
We were very pleased to learn that once again the renowned accapela group's
latest offering, 'Ilembe â Honouring Shaka Zulu', has won yet another Grammy
Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.
Significantly, this is their third Grammy Award after they won the first
with their debut album, 'Shaka Zulu' in the United States in 1987 for Best
Traditional Folk Recording. This was followed by their second for 'Raise Your
Spirit Higher' which was awarded the Best Traditional Music World Music
Recording in 2005.
In the last dozen years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been nominated eleven
times for a Grammy Award! This latest achievement not only confirms their
status as pre-eminent South African Cultural Ambassadors but is a well deserved
honour for taking traditional music and culture to the greatest heights. This
achievement affirms that South African talent is of world class.
The brand of music Black Mambazo performs was conceived in the oppressive
and exploitative mines of South Africa but the musicians have refashioned it to
tell a universal story of resilience and perseverance. In Ilembe they pay
tribute to a historic icon, King Shaka, for his nation-building efforts!
This album speaks to the core themes inherent in the Government's Programme
of Action for Social Cohesion by highlighting and celebrating the benefits of
reconciliation, unity and nurturing of a new identity.
Social Cohesion is in part the secret of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's success.
The group comprise of siblings, relatives and close friends who derive their
strength and power from working together for the same goal. They are indeed,
one of the few groups that have crossed over into the 21st Century while
remaining intact, disciplined and united.
The continued success of this group is a resounding statement of
encouragement and affirmation that our artists should take their destiny into
their own hands.
The Grammy is a coveted prize in international music competition. But the
Mambazo, especially, deserve it more because their style, lyrical content and
reach is rooted in indigenous music and culture of the marginalised.
This makes them a special group that reveals the potential of the local to
become cosmopolitan and universal in globalised world. It is a momentous
achievement that isichathamiya, not only nourished the soul of African people
during hard times but resonates in the hearts and souls of the people of Mother
Earth.
It remains the mandate of the Department of Arts and Culture to create
international and economic opportunities for artists to not only earn a living
through their art, but to express their talent. Ladysmith Black Mambazo makes
us believe that, artists can make things happen for themselves.
Halala, Mambazo, halala!
For further details call:
Sandile Memela
Spokesman for the Minister of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 375 2939
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
9 February 2009
